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SFC Alwyn Cashe Should Be Awarded The Medal Of Honor For His Heroics Under Fire

SFC Alwyn Cashe(1970-2005) Courtesy Of Investors.com

We were just recently made aware of the story of a Soldier by the name of SFC Alwyn Cashe. SFC Cashe’s story is one of heroics, bravery, and selfless service to not only his country, but to his Soldiers. SFC Cashe, was assigned to 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, which was part of the 15th Infantry Regiment at Operating Base MacKenzie in Iraq in 2005.

As three Bradley fighting vehicles were rolling out the gate, Cashe’s broke down. Maj. Jimmy Hathaway, who as a captain was the company commander, says Cashe could have by all rights not gone on the mission due to that. Instead the sergeant went to another Bradley and told its gunner to take the bad one back to the base.

Trouble was about to erupt.

Half an hour after leaving the base, darkness and a sand storm obscured a pressure-switch improvised explosive device in the Cashe Bradley’s path. The ensuing blast resulted in fuel spewing everywhere as the vehicle erupted in flames. Then the group came under fire from terrorists.

Cashe, injured and drenched in fuel, pulled himself out of the gunner’s hatch and crawled down the Bradley to help the burned driver escape.

Still, the armored personnel carrier/tank killer was burning with six soldiers and a translator inside.

With no concern about his own safety, Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle and tried to open the troop hatch door. He couldn’t, and it got worse; his gas-soaked uniform went up in flames.

Inside the Bradley, Staff Sgt. Douglas Dodge popped the troop hatch door open and stumbled outside, burned and dazed from a concussion. There he saw Cashe, his uniform gone, his skin burned everywhere except where his helmet, body armor and boots were.

“Cashe said, ‘Where are the rest of the boys? We’ve got to get them out.’ Without even thinking, Cashe just went in there,” said Dodge, who followed him.

Despite the horror scene, Cashe kept going, retrieving one injured and burned soldier after another with Dodge’s help.

While the door had been opened by Dodge, the soldiers inside were too battered to realize that. Cashe and Dodge battled flames and smoke and got all six soldiers and the interpreter out. By the time a crew from a trailing Bradley arrived to assist, Cashe had suffered burns over most of his body.

The Cashe-Dodge action helped save those six soldiers, three of whom would die from complications resulting from their burns in the next few weeks. One more died later indirectly from his injuries.

So did Cashe, in November 2005. He left behind a wife and three children ranging in ages from 6 to 12.

If this is not a Soldier who is deserving of the Medal Of Honor, then I do not know who would be!

UPDATE: The family has asked that we wait on the petition as a new packet has been submitted to the Army Awards branch to award him the Medal Of Honor. We will keep in contact with them, and keep you updated on the status.

Thank you thank you thank you for taking up the charge on this. Over the past year or two I have posted on several vet goups on facebook to people who knew the man…mostly The 1s ID, 1-18 INF and 18th Infantry Regiment pages…to try to get support behind this… I served with this man. SFC Cashe was an amazing man. We were in 1-18 INF together. He made the sacrifice knowing he would not make it through it….and that was who this man was long before it happened. When I found out about his death and the circumstances around it….I was upset to find he had died…but not one bit surprised how to choose to go out. SFC Cashe is what an NCO and soldier should be and is the embodiment of all that is good in the armed forces.

SFC Cache is most deserving of being awarded the Medal of Honor. Having had the absolute honor of serving with him, I’m sure I can speak for those that knew and also served with him that he was an extraordinary NCO, and leader and that they would support any petition to see that he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

I knew SFC Cashe personally he was apart of my unit while i was stationed in Germany. He was and is an Awesome Man! Funny to no belief and cared about his soldiers. I hope that the Army does the right thing and Award this Man the Medal Of Honor. He is one of the reason why I created ”Soldier Up” http://www.lifeismybattlefield.com. He touched my life trained me to survive in combat and set the standard!

The Army hasn’t forgotten him, they named a COP after him in Iraq and was stationed their in 2007. I have heard the story about his actions and I’m dumbfounded that he hasn’t received the Medal of Honor. It only takes the whip of the Presidents pen. No longer titled the CMH.

While stationed in Iraq in 2005, I heard of my friend’s death. I believed then as I do know, he is deserving of a Medal of Honor. His actions speak lordly to those who share his pain and his heroic acts on the battle field have paved the way for this prestigious award.
I too want to join in on this fight for my friend’s award, contact me and advise on what I need to do to assist.

I am one of the physicians who cared for this brave solider when he returned to the US. Even in the face severe injury he showed the kind of courage and fight that was truly heroic. Having stood at his bedside and meeting this man has marked my life. His act of valor and sacrifice is something I keep close and use as a daily reminder of the cost of liberty. In my humble opinion, SFC Cashe embodies the very spirit of the Medal of Honor.

I have posted this story to the main Marine Corps group that I’m in and also sent personal messages to a large group of Marine friends who understand the bonds of combat. A link has been provided to the petition. The numbers should increase here quickly.